Privateer Golf Tied for the Lead at Talent-Rich Squire Creek Intercollegiate

CHOUDRANT, La. -- The University of New Orleans golf team had not competed in a tournament in nearly a month heading into this week's Squire Creek Intercollegiate, causing UNO coach Chris McCarter a little concern heading into the talent-filled event.
 
But the extra practice seemingly made perfect on Monday afternoon, as UNO shot a season-low 13-under par 275 to move into a tie for first place in the 16-team field at Squire Creek Country Club.
 
The Privateers are tied for the lead with LSU heading into Tuesday's final round, and UNO fought back after opening the tournament with a 292 in the morning round to get there.
 
"We had a lot of players step up their games today," McCarter said. "I'm really impressed with these scores, really throughout the field. This course is not that easy. You can score well, but you really have to hit the ball in the right spots on these greens."
 
Hector Arias had two of UNO's five under-par rounds. The Colombia junior led the Privateers with an opening-round 70 and followed with a 3-under par 69 in the afternoon -- moving the All-Louisiana standout into a tie for second individually at 5-under par overall.
 
Senior Adam Cornelson (tied for 18th) also had a consistent day, backing up a morning-round 73 with a 2-under 70 in the afternoon. Newcomer Oscar Zetterwall (T-27th) fired a 69 in the second round after opening with a 76.
 
Sophomore Ken Looper (T-47th) had the biggest turnaround of the day. The Mandeville native struggled to an 81 in the first round but fought back to tie his career best with a 67 in the afternoon. Freshman Sebastian Szirmak (T-47th) posted a 73 in the morning before closing with a 75.
 
UNO and LSU are at 9-under par as a team and have a five-shot lead over third-place Louisville, which led after the first round. Nevada and Louisiana-Lafayette are tied for fourth place at 2-under. LSU's Jarrod Barsamian leads the individual race at 7-under par and is two shots ahead of five players -- including Arias.
 
"Our guys have always done a really good job of playing well in the final round, and we'll need it (Tuesday)," McCarter said of a field that includes five teams that reached the NCAA Regionals last year. "This will be a really good challenge for us."
 
The final round will tee off at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday.